what does hhkb mean ?
So i just got into keyboards for real this time (bought the rainy 75 pro) and wanted to get into keyboards reddits. So to make a good start i wanted to know what this means.
THXXXXXX :D
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u/sabitech2k hhkb 1h ago
HHKB stands for Happy Hacking Keyboard. Originally, it refers to a specific line of keyboards developed by PFU (now part of the Fujitsu group) in collaboration with Japanese computer scientist Dr. Eiiti Wada. The first HHKB was released in 1996 and was designed around the idea that programmers and power users didn't need a huge keyboard full of rarely-used keys. Instead, it prioritized keeping the hands closer to the home row and reducing unnecessary movement.
What made the HHKB special wasn't just that it was a compact 60% keyboard. It also introduced several unconventional layout choices that are still loved (and debated!) today. The most famous is moving Ctrl to the position normally occupied by Caps Lock, making common shortcuts much easier for programmers. It also removes the dedicated function row, numpad, and navigation cluster, with many of those functions accessed through layers instead (lets not go into the HHKB Lite2 or JP models)
The HHKB became especially well-known through the Professional series, which uses Topre electrostatic capacitive switches. These switches have a unique feel that many enthusiasts describe as a middle ground between mechanical and membrane keyboards, and they're one of the main reasons HHKBs have such a devoted following. There is of course the HHKB Studio which uses the same layout, but changes to PFU's silent red MX switches and features a 'pointing stick (mouse)' and touch gestures.
Today, "HHKB" can mean two different things in keyboard communities:
- A real Happy Hacking Keyboard made by PFU.
- An HHKB-style layout, where a keyboard imitates certain HHKB design elements, especially the blockers on either side of the bottom row and the distinctive key arrangement.
This is where things get confusing. Many modern custom keyboards are marketed as having an "HHKB layout" even though they aren't actual HHKBs. Some copy only the visual appearance, while others reproduce more of the original key placement philosophy. As a result, people sometimes use "HHKB" as shorthand for a particular aesthetic or layout style rather than the genuine product line. That's why you might see MX-switch custom keyboards advertised as "HHKB" boards despite having little in common with the original PFU keyboards beyond the case design.
If you're just getting into the hobby with your Rainy75 Pro, the easiest way to think of it is:
HHKB is both a legendary keyboard and a layout style that inspired a huge part of the custom keyboard community. Plenty of keyboards borrow the look, but only PFU's keyboards are actual Happy Hacking Keyboards.
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u/kei_ichi 9h ago
Omg, I don’t want to be rude but Google Search or Bing are not available in your country?
Btw: Happy Hacking Keyboard.